Because the number of people was too small, Gang Leader Qiao took out his phone again and conveniently recruited several other important role players for the Wizards' new season: Chris Whitney, Christian Laettner, Kwame Alexander, and Tyronn Lue!
Yes, Tyronn Lue, because he performed well as a surprise player in the finals against Iverson, caught Gang Leader Qiao's eye and received a two-year contract worth $3.6 million to play for the Wizards!
Since Coach Lue had also arrived, He Xi Meng casually suggested that Gang Leader Qiao also call Hu Wei Dong over! Although the Wizards, with Gang Leader Qiao and Hamilton, were not lacking in shooting guards, the regular season was so long, and no one could guarantee they would play from the second game to the eighty-second game…
"Alright, alright! As long as you don't curse me, just call him over!"
After receiving Gang Leader Qiao's approval, He Xi Meng made a phone call and "pulled" old Hu over from China. Hu Wei Dong cut his vacation short and rushed to Washington to report to Gang Leader Qiao. And reporting to Gang Leader Qiao was equivalent to reporting to the Wizards.
He Xi Meng hadn't helped much with Hu Wei Dong's journey to the NBA. Because compared to Yao Ming, the Jiangsu team hadn't made things difficult for Hu Wei Dong and had always been encouraging and supportive. Coupled with Adidas's strong support, Hu Wei Dong's process of participating in the draft had been smooth sailing. But signing was one thing, the road ahead still needed to be walked by Hu Wei Dong himself.
He Xi Meng was with the Spurs and couldn't interfere with the Wizards' personnel adjustments. However, Gang Leader Qiao's urgent summons brought him to Washington. He Xi Meng took this opportunity to smoothly introduce Hu Wei Dong into Gang Leader Qiao's circle.
As long as he could gain Gang Leader Qiao's recognition, old Hu would at least secure consistent playing time with the Wizards in the new season. And with old Hu's all-around skills, He Xi Meng believed that he would be fine as a backup shooting guard. Especially since old Hu's three-point shooting was quite good! If Gang Leader Qiao could accept He Xi Meng's suggestion and emphasize the importance of three-point shooting within the team in the new season, old Hu would benefit greatly…
In the blink of an eye, week after week, He Xi Meng had stayed at Gang Leader Qiao's manor for nearly a month.
At first, He Xi Meng was just doing Gang Leader Qiao a favor. Then, He Xi Meng was just keeping an eye on Artest to prevent him from going berserk, so as not to ruin his previous efforts. Finally, because Hu Wei Dong was also involved, He Xi Meng wanted to help old Hu along the way and leave a good impression on Gang Leader Qiao…
And during this month, Shirley had been "troubling" him quite a bit. He Xi Meng strongly suspected that Shirley had bribed the security office of Gang Leader Qiao's manor and linked all the real-time surveillance cameras in the manor to her phone. Because no matter where He Xi Meng went, Shirley could always orchestrate an "encounter."
From bunny girls to professional office ladies, female referees, then girl next door, sports girls, bikini beauties, and finally motorcycle girls, princess girls, sexy maids, artificial intelligence, Queen Amidala from Star Wars, Republican era cheongsam, Japanese geisha, Black Widow…
Shirley had cosplayed every type she could think of, and she even used her supreme authority within Gang Leader Qiao's manor to set up scenes, control lighting, and create unexpected situations… How to describe it? This little girl had used all her tricks, trying out all the moves she had mastered over the years in Washington's social scene. The result? Not a single one could capture He Xi Meng…
Ridiculous! Scarlett, the original Black Widow, had invited He Xi Meng to her place in the middle of the night several times when Keira was not in North America to help her fix her computer, and He Xi Meng hadn't gone… How could He Xi Meng fall for the honey trap of this imitation Black Widow?
Besides, He Xi Meng had seen costume shows before. Compared to Keira, Shirley was still a notch below.
Therefore, during this month, He Xi Meng treated it as a game of wits with this little fox, Shirley.
After a month, Gang Leader Qiao realized that the honey trap had no effect on He Xi Meng and told Shirley to stop her schemes and go find whoever she wanted to play with. As for He Xi Meng, there was no chance!
And Gang Leader Qiao himself, on a sunny afternoon, took He Xi Meng for a round of golf and invited him to join the Wizards again!
"Whatever it takes, I'm willing to pay any price! The Wizards' players, whatever the Spurs want, they can all be part of the deal…"
He Xi Meng didn't reply directly to Gang Leader Qiao. After accidentally hitting an eagle, he gave Gang Leader Qiao an apologetic smile: "You know, it's not about the price. Money, team status, privileges, I lack none of these with the Spurs. Even though I'm very grateful that you think so highly of me, there's a saying in China: first come, first served. The person who first discovered me and gave me these rights was Popovich, the Spurs… Before I can repay them handsomely, I won't leave San Antonio! This is responsible to them, and responsible to my own heart. To be frank, my favorite player is undoubtedly you, but my favorite team is not the Bulls, but the Spurs…"
At this point, Gang Leader Qiao knew that the Wizards had no hope of getting He Xi Meng, and his comeback this time would not have He Xi Meng as a partner.
Gang Leader Qiao was not indecisive. He immediately extended his broad palm: "If before this, I only admired you, then now, I admit, you have completely earned the right to converse with me as an equal! You have won my respect and my most sincere friendship… I hope that in the near future, we will have the opportunity to join forces…"
"We will, Michael, I promise!" He Xi Meng extended his right hand and shook Gang Leader Qiao's firmly…
He Xi Meng did not waste his time during the month of practicing with Gang Leader Qiao, and he gained a lot.
First, He Xi Meng completely gained Gang Leader Qiao's recognition and became his confidant.
Second, under He Xi Meng's care, Artest remained immersed in the "Best Defensive Player" rhetoric and did not elbow Gang Leader Qiao in the chest. Gang Leader Qiao was still energetic and more excited than young people. This also made He Xi Meng very pleased!
Third, under He Xi Meng's deliberate care, Hu Wei Dong successfully displayed his all-around skills and initially gained Gang Leader Qiao's recognition. He might not be able to start, but he would definitely be a part of the second unit, without any doubt…